A word of caution – we’re experiencing intermittent outages and slow, sluggish speeds as a result of the internet connection here at my house. Please bear with us this weekend.

Well, the May elections have gotten off to a quick start as the first candidate for Mayor of Greenville has filed his intent to seek election to the post Thursday afternoon. David Dreiling served 6 years on the Greenville Electric Utility System Board of Trustees, 4 of which were as chairman. He is only one of two people from Greenville serving on the Texas Municipal Power Association Board of Director. He has also served on or chaired several other boards, including some at his church, Wesley United Methodist. He retired from L-3 Communications in 2006 after 20 years with the company. Prior to that, he served in the U. S. Navy for 24 years, first as a recruit and later as an officer.

A State District Judge has issued a permanent injunction against Gavino Silva Zertuche, Jr., 46, of Rockwall, which prevents him from coming near L-3 Communications – owned or operated facilities in Greenville and Rockwall. Zertuche struck his pickup into the front gates of L-3 Communications back in December.

In weird news, an 18-wheeler driving the wrong way on a one-way street has managed to destroy a planter in front of the Chop Shop Karate facility at Lee and Wesley.

Also, five people were arrested for drug possession. Rounding out the list of those people, all receiving counts of Manufacturing or Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 1, are:

Juan Ruiz Lerma, 64, 4 counts at $20,000 bond per count.

Robbie Wayne McDaniel, 28, 1 count, $7,500 bond.

Kendal Laray Moore, 47, 1 count, $7,500 bond.

Wanda Kay Moore, 46, 1 count, $20,000 bond.

Erika Renise DeLeon, 44, 2 counts, $20,000 bond per count.

All were residents of Greenville.

Gabriela Ortiz of Campbell, who is accused in the 2011 murder of 2-year-old Brandon Hererra, was supposed to undergo the first of at least 3 pretrial hearings this morning. A trial date has not been announced yet, but more hearings are scheduled in February. Ortiz is facing 3 counts and has pleaded not guilty on all three counts. If convicted, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Corey Dominic Heath, 23, died from multiple gunshot woulds in a shooting on Tuesday in Commerce at the Lamplight Lodge Apartments. He had intended to steal money and drugs from the residents inside the unit where he was shot down. His accomplice is still on the loose; and Commerce Police Department has yet to confirm his identity. If you have any information, please call Commerce Police at (903) 886-1100.

Finally, mark your calendars for February 7th if you want to take your little girl to the Daddy/Daughter Dance held every year at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. Tickets purchased from now until January 23rd are $30 for child and escort. Between January 23rd and February 6th, these prices increase to $35; and they increase to $40 the day of the event. Additional daughters will cost $10 each.